Apparatus for automatically inserting components in a workpiece

ABSTRACT

A machine that automatically inserts electrical components in preselected locations on a workpiece includes a hopper assembly which houses a plurality of containers and means connected with the hopper assembly to dispense the containers from the assembly to a station remote from the assembly. The station includes means for selectively ejecting components within the containers therefrom and a collector assembly movable to and from the station for receiving the ejected components. A transfer assembly picks up the components from the collector assembly and transfers the components to the preselected location on the workpiece.

[ 51 May 22, W73

[54] APPARATUS FOR AUTQMATHCALLY 3,590,462 7/1971 Mracek ..29/203 BHNSERTING COMPONENTS IN A WORKPIECE lnventors: William D. Bohannon,.122, Graham; l-loye 1). Church, Burlington, both of NC.

Assignee: Western Electric Company incorporated, New York, NY.

Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 Appl. No.: 179,848

US. Cl. ..29/203 B, 29/208 E, 29/211 R Int. Cl ..H05k 13/04, 1323p19/04, B23q 7/10 Field of Search ..29/203 B, 203 R,

29/203 D, 208 R, 208 E, 211 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS10/1969 Lamoureux ..29/203 B Primary ExaminerThomas l-l. EagerAttorney-W. M. Kaimj. B. Hoofnagle,Jr and W. L. Williamson [57] ABSTRACTA machine that automatically inserts electrical components inpreselected locations on a workpiece includes a hopper assembly whichhouses a plurality of containers and means connected with the hopperassembly to dispense the containers from the assembly to a stationremote from the assembly. The station includes means for selectivelyejecting components within the containers therefrom and a collectorassembly movable to and from the station for receiving the ejectedcomponents. A transfer assembly picks up the components from thecollector assembly and transfers the components to the preselectedlocation on the workpiece.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENIEUHAYZZ ms 3, 733,672

SHEET 1 OF 5 .Irvvsmwzqs LU. D. EUHFINNUN H. .U. CHURCH V": E5 Q 4 MfT'T'CIRYNE'LJI PATENTEDHAYZZISYS 3 733 672 SHEET 2 OF 6 I FROM 63P/IIENIEDIIAYZZ m5 SHEET 8 OF 6 ENERGI ZED VALVE ACTUATE PLATES I I2 ANDI I3 ACT UATE PISTON I22 ACTUATE AIR SOURCE I44 ACTUATE CYLINDER ACTUATECYLINDER ACTUATE CYLINDER ACTUATE PLATES I I2 'AND H3 ACTUATE CYLJ N DERI38 ACTUATE CYLI N D ER SIO- ACTUATE PISTON I22 SII- ACTUATE CYLINDERAPPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY INSERTING COMPONENTS IN A WORKPIECECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related toco-pending applications to W. O. Bohannon, Jr., Ser. No. 50,547, filedJune 29, 1970, U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,100, entitled Package and Ser. No.179,849 filed on even date entitled Dispensing Control Mehcanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates generally to a component transfer system, and more particularly,to a novel machine that will automatically transfer a plurality ofelectrical components, selectively from a container to a desiredlocation on a workpiece.

2. Technical Consideration and Prior Art In the manufacture of logicunits that are employed in logic chassis for complex electricalequipment, such as computers, switching systems, and the'like, aplurality of integrated circuit packages (hereinafter called ICPs) aremounted on a circuit board in a desired arrangement to form thecircuitry thereof. The ICP has an integrated circuit formed therein,such as a plurality of AND gates, OR gates, flip-flops, amplifiers, orother circuitry. Extending from each ICP are a plurality of conductiveleads, which make up the terminals thereof. To mount the ICP on thecircuit board, the ICPs are inserted in patterned holes which areselectively arranged in rows on the circuit board. The terminals extendthrough the holes beyond the underneath side of the circuit board. Afterthe [CPS are inserted into the circuit board, a conventional automaticwiring machine is used to make various electrical connections betweenthe terminals and respective power plane terminals and ground planeterminals located on the circuit board.

Presently, the ICPs are manually inserted into the circuit board by anoperator who follows a guide chart indicating where to selectively placecertan coded ICPs at desired locations on the circuit board. Thedisadvantages of this technique are rather obvious. For one, accurateplacement of an ICP at a desired location on the circuit board issubject to operator error. Moreover, it is time and cost consuming withthis technique to complete the processing for circuit boards. Inaddition,

when errors are made by the operator during the manual processing of acircuit board, such as inaccurately inserting the many different codedICPs in the varying selected patterns on the board, it is extremelydifficult tofind the defect on the board and correct the error. Thus, acircuit board incorrectly arrayed with the ICPs must be reprocessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is drawn to a novelmachine, which automatically mounts a plurality of ICPs in the properarray on a circuit board in less time and in a more accurate manner thanis accomplished by manual mounting.

A general object of the invention is to provide a machine that willautomatically select a plurality of ICP components of different codesand arrange them in a desired array on a circuit board.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a machine thatwill automatically dispense a plurality of different coded ICPs from anyof a plurality of magazines, arrange the ICPs in a desired linear arrayas they are dispensed, and transfer the array to a desired loca' tion ona circuit board.

Another object of the invention is to provide a technique forcontinuously feeding a plurality of rows of magazines containing ICPs toa dispensing station, each row designating a different code of ICP andeach magazine containing a plurality of coded ICPs, selectively ejectingfrom each row one at a time, a desired coded ICP from the magazine intoa desired array on a support, and transferring the array from thesupport to a desired location on a printed circuit board.

Illustratively, one feature of the machine includes a hopper assemblywherein a plurality of magazines containing the ICPs are loaded. Themagazines are automatically fed from the bottom of the hopper assemblyalong individual tracks.

Another feature of the machine is a dispensing assembly. The dispensingassembly includes a piston arrangement for ejecting the ICPs from themagazine. The assembly also includes a mechanism under the pistonarrangement for selectively advancing the magazines under the dispensingassembly.

A further feature of the invention is a collector bar slide assembly.The collector bar slide assembly indexes beneath the dispensingassembly, and receives selected coded ICPs ejected from the magazine ina desired preselected row arrangement.

Still another feature of the invention is a transfer station assembly.The transfer assembly lifts a row of ICPs from the collector barassembly, positions the row over a circuit board, and lowers the ICPsinto the circuit board.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of theinvention and its advantages will appear more fully from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a magazine which houses aplurality of ICPs, illustrating the manner in which an individual ICP isejected therefrom onto a collector bar assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view in section illustrating a pistonarrangement for dispensing an ICP from a chamber in the magazine;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a circuit board, such as thatemployed as a logic chassis for computers, illustrating the manner inwhich a plurality of rows of ICPs are mounted on the circuit board;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ICP dispensing and insertion machineembodying the present invention, showing various parts of the machineand their relationship to one another;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hopper assembly of FIG. 4, showingin detail the manner of dispensing and conveying magazines from thehopper;

FIG. 6 is a blown-up perspective view partially in section of anescapement mechanism for selectively indexing a magazine from anadjacent track into a communicative position with the pistonarrangement;

FIG. 7 is a planar view of a section of FIG. 6, illustrating in greaterdetail a part of the mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a transfer station assembly illustrating themanner in which a gripping member of the transfer assembly is positionedover a respective ICP positioned on the collector bar'assembly and alsoillustrating a system for straightening the terminals of the ICP priorto transfer; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic of an air circuit employed to automaticallyoperate the transfer of the components from the collector bar to thecircuit board after the components have been dispensed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1illustratively shows an ICP 1 1 having a plurality of leads 12-12extending therefrom. As stated previously, the ICP has an integratedcircuit formed therein such as a plurality of AND gates, OR gates,flip-flops, amplifiers or other circuitry.

A plurality of ICPs 11 are retained in an elongated molded plasticmagazine 13. The magazine 13, which is described in detail in aco-pending, co-assigned application Ser. No. 50, 547, dated June 29,1970, to B- hannon et al. entitled Package," has a plurality of chambers14-14 with a small round opening 16 in the top thereof and a fullyopened bottom.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the ICP 11 is held in the top of the chamber 14by a plurality of flexible tabs 17-17. The ICP 11 has a flat side 18(FIG. 1) which sets against one of the side walls of the chamber 14 toorient the ICP within the magazine 13. The ICP 11 is ejected from thechamber 14 by pushing downward through the hole 16 to force the ICP pastthe tabs 17-17 (FIG. 2) and out of the bottom of the chamber.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustratively shown a circuit board21 (e.g., such as that employed in a logic chassis of a computer). Theboard 21 has a plurality of hole patterns 22-22, each patternselectively located to receive the leads 12-12 (FIG. 1) of thecorresponding ICP. The ICPs 11-11 are mounted in rows on the circuitboard 21 (FIG. 3) with the leads 12-12 of the [CPS extending through thecorresponding hole patterns 22 of the circuit board.

The circuit board 21 has first terminals 23 which are connected to acentral power plane 26 in the board and second terminals 24 which areconnected to a ground plane 27 on the board. After the ICPs 11-11 areinserted into the board 21, an automatic wiring machine (not shown) isused to make various electrical connections on the underside of theboard between the leads 12-12(FIG. 1) and the terminals 23 and 24 (FIG.3).

Referring to FIG. 4, a novel machine, generally designated by thereference numeral 31, incorporating the principles of the presentinvention to automatically transfer a plurality of ICP components 1 1-11from the magazine 13 (FIG. 1) to a desired location on the circuit board21 (FIG. 3) will first be described with reference to the structure andoperation of each part of the machine. The functional cooperationbetween the various parts of the machine as a unitary system will thenbe set forth.

HOPPER ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the machine 31 includesa hopper assembly 32. The hopper assembly 32 includes a plurality ofopen-ended compartments 33-33, respectively positioned in side-by-siderelationship. The compartments 3333 are defined by fixed side walls34-34. The walls 3434 of the compartment are equally spaced apart and inparallel alignment with an adjoining wall. An outer end wall 36 and aninner end wall 38 abut the corresponding ends of the side walls 3434 toenclose the ends of the walls 34 and compartments 33.

As best seen in FIG. 5, a flat, horizontal track member 39 extends alongthe entire length at the bottom of the compartments 3333 and continuesas a plurality of extended U-shaped tracks 40-40 outward from the innerend wall 38 of each compartment where the tracks terminate open endly ata remote point from the inner end wall of the compartment.

It can be seen that the track member 39 is vertically spaced downwardfrom the bottom of the respective end walls 36 and 38 and is also in thesame vertical plane as the associated compartments 3333. The depth ofthe track 39 is suitable to permit the magazines 13-13 to pass beneaththe end wall 38.

An air cylinder 41 is mounted parallel to and below each of the extendedtrack members 40-40 and is supported by a bracket member 42. A pistonrod 43 extends from each cylinder 41 along the underside of the trackmember 39 and is engageable to move from the inner end wall 38 to aposition beneath the outer end wall 36. A pawl 44 is affixed to the endof each rod 43, and projects through a respective one of a plurality ofelongated slots 45-45 extending through the track member 39, each slotcentrally situated beneath a respective compartment 33. The pawl 44 ispivotally mounted and spring biased to pivot in a clockwise directionaway from the cylinder 41. A switch actuator 46 is likewise affixed nearthe end of each rod 43 and projects downwardly therefrom.

A first switch 47 is positioned directly beneath the outer end wall 36and is engaged by the actuator 46 when the rod 43 is extended toposition the actuator directly beneath the outer end wall. A secondswitch 48 is situated directly beneath the inner end wall 38 and isengaged by the actuator 46 in like manner when the rod 43 is retractedto position the actuator directly beneath the inner end wall.

To load and dispense the magazines 13 from the hopper assembly 32, aplurality of magazines are manually loaded into each of the compartments3333 from the tops thereof so that the magazines are stacked from top tobottom. The air cylinder 41 is next actuated by a control switch 49which is alternately actuated by the respective switches 47 and 48 tocause the air flow in the cylinder to traverse in respective oppositepaths. The switches 47 and 48 are lever actuated switches, ModelMV-lS-T, manufactured by the Mead Corporation, Chicago, Ill. The switch49 is a conventional fourway, air operated switch. A suitable switch ofthis type is manufactured by the Aro Air Products; Argol, Indiana and iscommercially identified by the serial number 5040-35. Initially, theswitch 49 is operated to advance the rod 43 to an extended position sothat the end of the rod is situated beneath the outer end wall 36 of thecompartment 33. This advances the pawl 44 beneath the end wall 36 in theslot 45 of the track member 39. It is noted that the bottom magazine 13in the compartment 33 drops into position on the track 39.

When the rod 43 is advanced to the extended position, the pawl 44, whichis spring biased in a clockwise direction, slides along the bottom ofthe magazine 13 and then pivots into the slot 45 of the track 39 afterclearing the end of the magazine. Simultaneously, the actuator 46engages the switch 47 to reverse the air flow in the cylinder 41,thereby moving the rod 43 in the opposite direction. The movement of therod 43 also causes the pawl 44 to move along the slot 45 against thetrailing end of the magazine 13 situated on the track 39 to move themagazine along the track and underneath the inner end wall 38 into theextended U- shaped track member 40. When the magazine 13 is completelyclear of the inner end wall 38, the actuator 46 is directly beneath theinner end wall and engages the second switch 48 to again reverse the airflow in the cylinder and return the rod 43 to its extended positionbeneath the outer end wall 36. Meanwhile, the second bottom mostmagazine 13 has fallen to the track 39 and the cycle is repeated. Thesecond magazine 13 abuts the trailing end of the previous magazine 13 toadvance it along the extended track 40 as the second magazine isadvanced by the pawl 44. At'the end of the extended track 40, themagazine 13 passes through a dispensing assembly 51 (FIG. 4).

DISPENSING ASSEMBLY As seen in FIG. 4, the dispensing assembly 51includes a piston arrangement having a row of pistons 52-52 that areemployed to selectively eject lCPs from the chambers 14 of the magazine13 (FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIG. 2, each piston 52 comprises a cylinder 53 having abore 54 located within. Extending logitudinally, axially, and centrallythrough the cylinder 53 is a cylindrical hollow tube 55. Slidablymounted within the bore 54 and rigidly affixed to the tube 55 is matingpiston 56. The piston 56 is normally urged upwardly by the bias of aspring member 57 retained between the bottom of the bore 54 and thepiston 56.

An inlet 58 extends through the upper side of the cylinder 53 andcommunicates with an upper portion of the bore 54 to define an inletport through which a pressurized fluid such as air is introduced. Anoutlet 59 extends through the lower side of the cylinder 53 andcommunicates with a lower portion of the bore 54 to define an outletport through which the pressurized air is discharged from the cylinder.An air switch 60 communicates with the outlet 59.

A seal 61 is provided between the outer periphery of the piston 56 andthe sides of the bore 54 to preclude leakage between the inlet port 58and the outlet port 59, when pressurized air is introduced into the bore54. A suitable air source 63 is employed to provide air to the inlet 58.A valve 64 intercepts the flow of air from the source 63 to the inlet 58so that pressurized air may be selectively applied to the inlet to forcethe piston 56 downward against the spring member 57.

The piston arrangement is situated so that the tube 55 when in operationoverlies the opening 16 of the chamber 14. Sufficient air is thenintroduced via the valve 64 into the inlet port 58 to force the piston56 downward.

The movement of the piston 56, in turn, urges the tube 55 downward inengaging relationship with the ICP 11 to force the ICP past the tab 17and out of the chamber 14. The switch 60 senses the air as it emergesfrom the outlet 59, and operates to close the valve 64. correspondingly,the air supply to the chamber 54 is cut off and the pressure on thepiston 56 ceases. The plunger 55 then retracts to its original positionunder the biasing action of the spring 57.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a mechanism 71 whichallows the magazine 13 to advance one chamber at a time under the piston52 (FIG. 2). The

mechanism 71 (FIG. 6) includes a rotatable shaft 72 of fixed lengthdefined by two ends. At one end of the shaft 72, a first semicircularcam 73 is affixed. A second like semicircular cam 74 is affixed betweenthe ends of the shaft 72 spaced from the first cam 73. The spacingbetween the cams 73 and 74 is equivalent to one-half the length of thechamber 14 of the magazine 13, and first cam 73 is oriented to beoff-set 90 from the second cam 74. A pinion member 76 is mounted on theshaft 72 a spaced distance from the second cam 74.

Situated beneath and engaging the cylindrical portion of the pinion 76is a rack 77. Coupled to the rack 77 is an air cylinder 78 which, inturn, is connected to the air source 63 (FIG. 2). The air cylinder 78(FIG. 6) also selectively communicates with a central opening 80 (FIG.2) in the tube 55 via a conventional, electrically operated four waycontrol valve 81 (FIG. 6) that is, in turn, connected to an air switch82. Air is supplied to the opening 80 by an air source 79 (FIG. 2).

The shaft 72, the rack 77, and the air cylinder 78 are suitably retainedin proper position by a support member 83. An end 84 (FIG. 7) of theshaft extends through a wall of the support member 83 and is engageablewith the bracket 42 (FIGS. 5, 6, and 7).

Referring specifically to FIG. 7, the end cross section 84 of the shaft72 which extends through the wall of the support 83 has a small hollowwell 85 formed therein. The shaft 72 is resiliently mounted through thesupport member 83 such as by spring loading via a suitable spring member86 situated about the shaft and retained between the pinion 76 (FIG. 6)and the wall of the support member. A small tolerance is maintainedbetween the end 84 (FIG. 7) of the shaft 72 and the bracket 42 to definean open chamber 87 which is defined by the well 85 and the bracket 42.

Air is introduced from a source 88 (FIG. 6) into a first opening 89(FIG, 7) in the bracket 42 which communicates with the chamber 87. Asecond opening 90 in the bracket 42, also communicating with the chamber87, is connected to a sensing switch 91 (FIG. 6). With the chamber 87 ina normal open position (FIG. 7), as aforedescribed, air passes from thesource 88 through the opening 89 into the chamber and out thereof viathe tolerance between the bracket 42 and the end 84 of the shaft 72.

Referring to FIG. 6, when a chamber 14 of the magazine 13 is underneaththe tube 55, the cam 73 is positioned such that a face of the cam abutsa forward outer wall 19 of the chamber 14. When the wall 19 is in properposition against the cam 73, the force of the wall against the cam willurge the shaft 72 into engaging relation with the bracket 42 to closethe chamber 87 (FIG. 7). With the chamber 87 closed, air entering fromthe opening 89 (FIG. 7) is now forced out through the second opening 90(FIG. 7) and is detected by the switch 91. The sensing of the outlet airby the switch 91 indicates that the chamber 14 is in the proper positionunder tube 55. The switch 91 submits a signal to a control device (notshown) which opens the valve 64 (FIG. 2) to permit air to enter throughthe inlet 58 into the bore 54. Air also flows from the source 79 (FIG.2) into the opening 80 of the tube 55.

When an ICP I1 is in a position in the chamber 14 (FIG. 6) beneath thetube 55, the air traveling through the opening 80 (FIG. 2) in the tubeis restricted. This creates a back-pressure within the tube 55 which issensed by the switch 82 (FIG. 2). With the cam 73 in an upward engagingposition against the wall 19, the switch 82, sensing the back pressurefrom the air in the opening 80, operates to prevent air from enteringthe cylinder 78 from the source 63 by placing the control 81 in a closedposition. The air in the bore 54 (FIG. 2) forces the tube 55 downwardinto the chamber 14 where it ejects the ICP 11 from the chamber (FIG.6). The restricted air is then permitted to pass from the opening 80 inthe tube 55 through the opening 16 in the chamber to relieve the backpressure within the tube. Simultaneously, air also passes from theoutlet 59 (FIG. 2) to the switch 60 communicating therewith. As statedpreviously, when the switch 60 senses the flow of air from the outlet59, it immediately actuates to close the valve 64 (FIG. 2). The tube 55then retracts to its original position as aforedescribed.

Referring to FIG. 2, when an ICP 11 is ejected from the chamber 14, theswitch 82 senses the drop in back pressure in the opening 80 due to thenow unrestricted flow of air from the opening to the opening 16 in thechamber 14. After the tube 55 has returned to its origi nal position,the switch 82, via a suitable time delay mechanism (not shown) then actsto open the control valve 81 (FIG. 6). Referring to FIG. 6, air entersand actuates the cylinder 78 to advance the rack 77 and rotate thepinion 76 in a counterclockwise direction. The cam 73 thus moves out ofengagement with the wall 19 of the chamber 14. As pressure is constantlybeing exerted on the magazine 13 from the succeeding magazinestraversing the track 40 from the hopper assembly 32 (FIG. the magazine13 advances in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 6), as previouslydescribed. The wall 19 of the chamber 14 next abuts the cam 74 which hasbeen rotated into engaging relation with the wall. In this position, thetube 55 is over a top enclosed surface of the magazine 13. This againrestricts the flow of air through the opening 80 creating back-pressurewhich is sensed by the switch 82. The switch then acts to close thevalve 81 thus reversing the flow of air in the cylinder 78. Accordingly,the rack 77 reverses its movement to rotate the pinion in a clockwisedirection back to its initial position. The cam 74, in turn, moves outof engagement with the wall 19 and the magazine 13 advances to aposition where a corresponding wall 19 of the next chamber 14 abuts thecam 73 which is now in engaging position with the wall. The tube 55 isnow positioned over the opening 16 of a second chamber 14 and a new ICP11 is positioned to be ejected by the tube 55.

If there is no ICP 11 in the chamber 14, the switch 82 will act as if anICP has been ejected from the chamber and will operate to open the valve81 and actuate the cylinder 78 in a manner as previously described. Themagazine 13 will advance to a forward position until a correspondingchamber 14 having an ICP 11 is situated beneath the tube 55.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the switch 60, which senses the completion ofthe downward stroke of the tube 55, is a conventional air-operatedsensing switch such as that manufactured by Custom Components Inc.,Chadsworth, Col., model number 6076173. The switch 82, which senses thepresence or absence of an ICP 11, and the switch 91 which senses theproper position of the magazine 13 are commercial air-operatedelectrical switches. A typical switch of this type is illustrativelymanufactured by Fairchild Controls, Hicksville, NY.

under the trade name Faircom Pressure Switches, model number PSF-IOOA.

COLLECTOR BAR ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, as the ICPs11 are ejected from the magazine 13 by the downward movement of the tube55, they are inserted into a collector bar assembly 92.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the collector bar assembly 92 includes anelongated base 93 that is mounted for movement in an axial direction viaa screw mechanism 94. Coupled to the screw mechanism 94 is anappropriate indexing motor 96 (FIG. 4). A collector bar 97 (FIG. 1) iscentrally mounted on the base 93 and is illustratively secured in placeby two extended L-shaped flanges 98 and 99.

The bar 97 has an upward projecting, centrally located elongatedU-shaped configuration which defines a channel 100 sandwiched betweentwo projected walls 101 and 102. Situated within the channel 100 andextending upwardly therefrom are a plurality of small rectangularinserts 103-103. The inserts 103 are vertically movable to float withinthe channel 100. This movement is regulated by a corresponding pluralityof rectangular insert actuators l04l04 that are situated within openings-105 in a side of the bar 97 (one of which is illustrated in FIG. 8). Asseen in FIG. 8, the actuator 104 has an interior bevelled edge 106,which communicates with the lower edge of a respective insert 103, suchthat any force exerted downward upon the insert will cause the actuatorto slide outward from the channel 100 and the opening 105 permitting theinsert to rest on the bottom of the channel. Correspondingly, any forceexerted laterally from the opposite end on the actuator 104 will bevelthe insert 103 upward from the bottom of the channel 100 toward itsinitial position. Conveniently, the actuator 104 may alternately bespring loaded to retract back into extended position after the latteroperation. In this case, the inserts 103103 must snugly fit within thechannel 100.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the top surfaces of the walls 101 and 102projecting above and on each side of the channel 100 have a plurality offirst hole patterns 107-107 extending therein (only the hole patterns inthe wall 102 can be seen). Each hole pattern 107 on the wall 102 issymmetrically opposite the pattern on the wall 101 and the pattern oneach wall is spaced a fixed equal distance from a correspondingpreceding hole pattern. A second series of hole patterns 108 extendthrough the top surfaces of the inserts 103. Each insert 103 is alignedin the channel 100 between the walls 10.1 and 102 so that the holes 107in the walls and the holes 108 in the insert conform to a pattern thatcomplements the configuration of the terminals 12-12 of an ICP l1.

Actuation of the motor 96 (FIG. 4) drives the screw mechanism 94 toadvance the collector bar assembly 92 to a position beneath thedispensing assembly 51. In this position, a selected series of magazines13 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1) is directly over any one of thecorresponding patterns defined by the holes 107 and 108 of the collectorbar 97. Also, the actuator 104 is pushed inward by a suitable cammingdevice (not shown) to elevate the insert 103. An ICP 11 is then ejectedfrom an overlying chamber 14 of the magazine 13, as aforedescribed, sothat the ICP terminals l212 nest in the pattern defined by the holes 107and 108 in the collector bar 97. The downward movement of the raisedinsert 103 caused by the force of the ICP 11 insures that the ICP clearsthe magazine 13 as it falls in place in the collector bar 97. After aselected row of ICPs 1111 have been deposited on the plurality of holepatterns 107 and 108 on the collector bar 97, the motor 96 (FIG. 4)drives the screw mechanism 94 to advance the collector assembly 92 to aposition under a transfer station assembly 111 (FIG. 4).

It is to be understood that a plurality of different coded ICPs 11 canbe inserted in any desired position on the collector bar 97 in a mannerto be'hereinafter described.

TRANSFER STATION ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 8, the transferstation assembly, generally designated as 111, has two lower plates 112and 113 (FIG. 8) which are spring biased by a pair of respective leafsprings 114 and 1 15. Extending up from the plates 112 and 113 are arespective pair of opposed walls 116 and 117. The walls 116 and 117 areresiliently mounted via opposing spring plates 118 and 119 to allowrespective springs 114 and 115 to close. Situated between the walls 116and 117 is an enclosed centrally located pressure chamber 120. Slidablymounted within the chamber 120 is a necked-down piston 122. Affixed tothe lowermost end of the piston 122 is a piston head 123. The piston 122is normally urged upward by the bias of a spring member 124 mountedabout the piston and supported by a ledge 125 centrally located aboutthe wall of the chamber 120. Stops 126 and 127 provide suitable supportsfor the respective springs 114 and 115. An air chamber 128 operates toopen the plates 112 and 113 against the springs 114 and 115.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the transfer station assembly 111 is mountedbetween vertical brackets 131 and 132. The bracket 131 is mounted forhorizontal movement on a vertical support 133 which overhangs thecollector bar assembly 92. Also mounted on the bracket 131 is an aircylinder 134 having a piston 136 extending therefrom. Thecylinder isalso mounted to the support 133 by a suitable bracket 137.

Referring again to FIG. 8, it is seen that the collector bar assembly 92has been indexed by the motor 96 (FIG. 4) to a position directlyunderneath the transfer station assembly 111. The assembly 111 hadpreviously been lowered by a suitable underlying air cylinder 138 (FIG.4) communicating therewith so that the plates 112 and 113 (FIG. 8), aresituated in engaging relationship with the ICPs 11 mounted, asaforedescribed, on the collector bar 97. The plates 112 and 113 areinitially in an open position. This is accomplished by the introductionof pressurized air from a source (not shown) into the chamber 128 toexpand the springs 114 and 115. To compress the springs 114 and 115 andclose the plates 112 and 113 beneath the edges of the ICPs 11-11 locatedon the bar 97 the air is released from the air chamber 128. Next, air isintroduced into the chamber 120 via a suitable air port 121 locatedwithin the assembly 1 11. Pressure is thus created within the chamber120 which forces the piston 122 downward against the spring 124 untilthe piston head 123 of the piston 122 engages the top of an ICP 11.However, if there is no ICP 11 present the piston 122 moves downwardagainst the spring 124 until the head 123 of the piston 122 engages theplates 112 and 113. In this position the downward movement of the piston122 stops. The assembly 111 is then raised from the collector bar 97 byactuating the underlying cylinder 138 (FIG. 4) that previously loweredthe assembly into position. A suitable switch then actuates the cylinder134 (FIG. 4) to move the rod 136 to a position so that the assembly 111is over a table 161 which supports a printed circuit board (such as theprinted circuit board 21 in FIG. 3). The transfer assembly 111 (FIG. 4)is again lowered by the cylinder 138 to an engageable position with theboard 21, and the walls 116 and 117 (FIG. 8) are then expanded, asaforedescribed, to open plates 112 and 113. Correspondingly, each of thepistons 122, whose piston head 123 engages the ICP 11, moves downwardunder the force of the compressed air in the chamber to push the leads12 of the ICP further downward into the hole patterns 22 (FIG. 3) of theboard 21. The ICPs 11 continue their downward movement by freely fallinginto place in the board 21 (FIG. 3). The assembly 111 is then raised bythe cylinder 138 out of engagement with the board 21, and the cylinder134 is actuated to return the assembly back to its initial positionwhere it may be in overlying relationship with the collector barassembly 92 (FIG. 8).

Meanwhile, the collector bar assembly 92 has been indexed by the motor96 to return to an underlying relationship with the dispensing assembly51 to receive additional ICPs 11. A camming device (not shown) may bemounted in juxtaposed relationship with the collector bar 97 (FIG. 8) toengage the actuators 104 for movement to raise the inserts 103 to anupward position as the collector bar 92 is returned to a receivingposition.

As seen in FIG. 8, the collector bar 97 is mounted for movement in acircular motion on the base 93. A vertical rotatable shaft 141 iscentrally mounted at each longitudinal end of the base 93 (only oneshaft 141 is shown in the drawing). A rotating pinion 142 is connectedto the lower end of each shaft 141 and engages a rack 143 which is alsomounted at each end of the base 93. The rack 143 is actuated by asuitable air cylinder coupled to a pressurized air source 144. Affixedto the top of the shaft 141 is a circular disc 146. Mounted on the disc146 is an off-centered projection 147 which suitably fits into acomplementary indent 148 in the bottom of the collector bar 97.

The cylinder coupled to the air source 144 is suitably actuated to movethe rack 143 in a direction to rotate the pinion 142. The rotation ofthe pinion 142, in turn, rotates the shaft 141 and the disc 146 in onedirection through a 360 cycle. The air flowing through the source 144 isthen reversed and the projection 147 reverses its cycle to return to itsoriginal position. The projection 147 rotates in a symmetrical orbit,and the reciprocal movement of the projection within the indent 148 ofthe collector bar 97 imparts a reciprocal circular motion to thecollector bar. A closed chain or other loop (not shown) connecting theperiphery of the disc 146 at one end of the base 93 with an identicaldisc located at the other end of the base 93 provides uniform reciprocalcircular motion throughout the entire length of the collector bar 97.

Referring to FIG. 1, the openings 107 in the walls 101 and 102, and theopenings 108 in the inserts 103 of the collector bar 97 are bevelledradially outward at the top so that the openings will receive any of theleads 12 which might have become bent during prior processing.

Consequently, there is a distinct possibility that any of the ICPs 11dispensed on the collector bar 97 might have one or more bent lead.However, the openings 22 (FIG. 3) on the circuit board 21, whichsubsequently receive the ICPs 11, are not bevelled, therefore, a bentlead 12 (FIG. 1) cannot be inserted into a respective opening 22 (FIG.3). Accordingly, the rotation of the bar 97 (FIG. 8) as aforedescribed,straightens the leads 12 by imparting a force to the leads whichovercomes any force exerted on a lead that places it in a bentcondition. This enables restoration of any bent leads 12 to a normaldownward orientation before transfer to the circuit board 21 (FIG. 3).

OPERATION The operation of the machine 31 (FIG. 4) will be describedwith reference to manufacturing a circuit board having a desiredcircuitry such as the circuit board 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The ICPs 11, which are housed in the magazines 13 (FIG. 1), are made ina selected number of different codes. Each of the magazines l3correspond to a particular code of ICP 11. As illustratively pointed outin the above referred to copending application, Ser. No. 50,547, theedges of each magazine 13 are formed with a particular notch, such thatit may only be inserted into a respective notched compartment 33 (FIG.4) corresponding to the particular code of an ICP 11 within themagazine.

A conventional tape feed numerical control unit (not shown) is employedto program the entire operation of the machine with the exception of thetransfer of the ICPs 11 from the collector bar 92 to the printed circuitboard 21. An air sequencer system, which is to be hereinafter described,is employed for the latter operation. For the numerical control, asuitable unit is manufactured under the general trade name of Slo-SynNumerical Control System" by the Superior Electric Co., Bristol, Mass.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 5, a plurality of magazines 13 areloaded into the top of the compartments 33-33 and are dispensed fromeach compartment at the bottom thereof onto the track member 39. Themagazines are conveyed from individual tracks 39 to the extended tracks40 by actuating the air cylinders 41. The magazines are continuouslyconveyed until the first chamber 14 of the leading magazine in eachcompartment 33 is situated in a position beneath a corresponding piston52 (FIG. 4) of the dispensing assembly 51. In this position, thecontinuous movement of each magazine 13 is temporarily intercepted bythe mechanism 71 (FIG. 6) of the dispensing assembly 51 (FIG. 4).

Referring now to FIG. 3, it is seen that the circuit board 21 comprisesa plurality of rows 151-154 containing coded ICPs 11, which constitute adesired circuit. It is to be noted that any coded ICP 11 may occupy anyposition on the circuit board 21 dependent upon the desired circuitry ofthe board. Illustratively, in the row I51, going from left to right, anICP 11 is inserted in the pattern 22 in a first position, a secondposition, and a fourth position. For purposes of further illustration,the ICP in the above-mentioned first position in row 151 is a code 9ICP; the ICP in the abovementioned second position is a code 3 ICP; andthe ICP in the above-mentioned fourth position is a code 7 ICP. The codenumber of the ICP is defined from the slot 33 from whence it came in thehopper assembly. Accordingly, a code 9 ICP would come from a magazinesituated in the ninth slot of the hopper assembly 32, going from rightto left in FIG. 4; a code 3 ICP would come from a magazine situated inthe third slot from the right in the hopper assembly; and a code 7 ICPwould come from the seventh slot from the right in the hopper assembly.

To select the ICPs making up the row 151 of the circuit board 21, thenumerical control unit is programmed to actuate the motor 96 (FIG. 4) toindex the collector bar assembly 92 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to a sequence ofpositions beneath the plurality of coded magazines 13-13 (FIG. 5).Illustratively, the control unit reads out a number that is equivalentto the sum of the code number and position where the ICP 11 is to beinserted on the collector bar 97 (FIG. 1) to determine a correspondingdistance the collector bar assembly 92 must be indexed before ejecting adesired ICP in the proper insert 103 on the collector bar 97. For theabove-mentioned first position on the row 151 of the circuit board 21,the control unit would read out a 10, which represents the sum of thefirst position plus the code 9. For the above second position in row151, the unit would read out a 5, which indicates the sum of the secondposition plus the code 3. For the third position in the row 151, theunit would not read since there is no ICP to be inserted in the thirdposition. For the above fourth position, the unit would read out an 11,which indicates the sum of the fourth position plus the code 7.

As seen in FIG. 4, the above-described positions on the pistons 52 andthe collector bar 97 (FIG. 1) are in reverse ascending order to thepositions of the coded slots 33 (FIG. 4) of the hopper assembly 32. Thisarrangement permits the collector bar assembly 92 to be initiallyindexed to the distance having the corresponding lowest number, andfurther sequentially indexed inwardly to distances having ascendingnumbers. Consequently, in a series of indexing operations, the collectorbar assembly 92 would initially be indexed to the distance having thelowest number, in this instance 5, where the collector bar 97 (FIG. 1)would be thus positioned so that the second insert 103 of the collectorbar would be situated under the third piston 52 (FIG. 4) of thedispensing assembly 51. The piston 52 is then actuated to eject the code3 ICP 11 (FIG. 1) from the chamber 14 onto the respective hole patterns107 and 108 representing the above second position of the collector bar97 in a manner as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8. Afterejection of the ICP 11 into the collector bar 97 and return of thepiston 52 (FIG. 2) to its initial position, the collector bar assembly92 (FIG. 4) is then indexed to the distance having the next ascendingnumber 10, where the first insert 103 (FIG. 1) of the collector bar 97underlies the ninth piston 52 (FIG. 4) of the dispensing assembly 51.The corresponding ninth piston 52 overlies the ICP 11 (FIG. 1), andejects the code 9 ICP into the hole patterns 108 and 109 representingthe above first position of the collector bar 97 in a similar manner, asabove. The collector bar assembly 92 is then indexed to 11 the distancehaving the highest number so that the fourth insert 103 underlies theseventh piston 52 of the dispensing assembly 51 where the code 7 ICP 11(FIG. 1) may be ejected into hole patterns 108 and 109 representing thefourth position of the collector bar 97. Upon ejection of each of theICPs 11 of a given row onto the collector bar 97 (e.g., the three ICPs11 in row 151 (FIG. 3) of the circuit board 21) the correspondingmagazine 13, having the empty chamber 14 situated under a correspondingpiston 52, is then advanced by the mechanism 71 FIG. 6 so that a newchamber 14, having an enclosed ICP 11, is situated therebeneath, asaforedescribed. After a row of [CPS 11 (FIG. 3) have been ejected on thecollector bar 97 (FIG. 1) the motor 96 (FIG. 4) is actuated by thecontrol unit to advance the collector bar assembly 92 to a positionbeneath the transfer station assembly 111 (FIG. 8) which is now in alowermost position with the gripping members 112 and 113 open. At thisposition, a pulse is transmitted by the control unit, which energizes avalve V (FIG. 9) that actuates the air sequencer system.

Referring now to the schematic in FIG. 9, the valve V upon beingenergized sequentially opens a series of air switches Sl-Sll. Theswitches SlS11, when open, operate to perform a series of steps whicheffect the transfer of the row of ICPs 11 on the collector bar 97(FIG. 1) to the row 151 (FIG. 3) of the circuit board 21.

Again referring to FIG. 9, the steps include first releasing air in thechamber 128 to permit springs 114 and 115 to close the plates 112 and113 (FIG. 8), which correspondingly grip each of the plurality of ICPs11 on the collector bar 97 as aforedescribed with reference to FIG. 8.Next, the piston 122 (FIG. 9) is actuated to force the piston head 123(FIG. 8) into a downward engaging relationship with the top of anunderlying ICP 11. Each ICP 11 is now held firmly in position by theplates 112 and 113 and the piston head 123. Circular motion is thenimparted to the collector bar 97 to straighten any bent leads 12 on eachICP 11 by actuating the air source 144 (FIG. 9) to rotate the shaft 141,as aforedescribed. After straightening any bent leads 12 (FIG. 8) ofeach ICP 11, the cylinder 138 (FIG. 9) is actuated to raise the transferassembly 111 (FIG. 4) and lift the row of [CPS 11 (FIG. 8) from thecollector bar 97. When the assembly 111 reaches an uppermost position,the cylinder 134 (FIG. 9) is actuated to extend the piston 136 (FIG. 4)and advance the assembly from a position over the collector bar assembly92 to a position over the circuit board 21, which is affixed to anindexing table 161.

Prior to the energization of the air sequencer, an indexingmotor 162,similar to the indexing motor 96, indexes the table 161 via a suitablescrew mechanism 163 to advance the table to a position such that the row151 (FIG. 3) of the circuit board 21 is situated directly be neath thepath of the assembly 1 11 (FIG. 4). The motor 162 is operated by thenumerical control unit.

Referring back to FIG. 9, the cylinder 138 is again actuated to move theassembly 111 (FIG. 8) downward to a lowermost position so that theterminals 12 of the [CPS 11 are inserted into the desired hole patterns22 (FIG. 3) in the row 151. The plates 112 and 113 (FIG. 8) are thenopened by actuating the walls 116 and 117 (FIG. 9) and the [CF 11 (FIG.8) is allowed to pass freely therethrough under the force of the nowmoving piston head 123. The head 123 pushes the ICP 11 downward into aposition such that the leads 12 (FIG. 1) are captured by the openings 22(FIG. 3) in the circuit board 21 and then ceases movement when thepiston 122 (FIG. 8) engages the plates 112 and 113. (The head 123conveniently has a diameter larger than the space between the openedplates 112 and 113). Next the cylinder 138 (FIG. 9) is again actuated tolift the assembly 111 (FIG. 8) to an uppermost position. The cylinder134 (FIG. 9) is then actuated to convey the assembly 11 1 (FIG. 8) to aposition over the collector bar assembly 92. Air is then bled from thechamber (FIG. 8) to actuate the piston 122 (FIG. 9) so that it retractsto its original position via the upward bias of the spring 124 (FIG. 8).The assembly 111 is then lowered to its lowermost position with themembers 112 and 113 still in an open position by actuating the cylinder138 (FIG. 9). When the assembly 111 (FIG. 8) reaches its originallowermost position the air sequencer system (FIG. 9) is automaticallyde-energized. The assembly 111 (FIG. 8) remains in position until thesystem senses another pulse from the control unit which again opens thevalve V (FIG. 9) and energizes the system for another series ofoperations.

Meanwhile, the valve V may be closed at any interval of the sequencersystem cycle after the switch S, has been opened to actuate the transferof the [CPS 11 (FIG. 8) from the collector bar 97 to the transferassembly 111 by a suitable timing device (not shown). Closing the valveV (FIG. 9) re-energizes the numerical control to return the collectorbar assembly 92 (FIG. 4) back to its initial position to undergo anotherseries of indexing operations to receive the ICPs 11 (FIG. 3) for therow 152 of the circuit board 21. The air sequencer system (FIG. 9) willcontinue to operate after closing the valve V to finish its series ofoperations until the switch S has completed its cycle as aforedescribed.However, it is essential that the valve V not be closed before transferof the row of ICPs 11 (FIG. 8) from the collector bar 97 to the transferassembly 111, else the collector bar assembly 92 will be programmed toreturn before transfer of the ICPs. By selectively closing the valve V(FIG. 9) after opening the switch S, coordination between the numericalcontrol and the air sequencer systems can be effected to continuouslyoperate the machine 31 (FIG. 4) without intermittent interruption of thecycle.

As was illustratively shown with reference to row 151 (FIG. 3), the ICPs11 in row 152 can be of any desired code depending upon the desiredcircuitry, and the collector bar 97 (FIG. 8) is sequentially indexedbeneath the dispensing mechanism 51 (FIG. 4) in the same manner asaforedescribed with reference to the row 151 (FIG. 3).

If during the dispensing of the coded ICPs 11 (FIG. 1) from the chamber14 of the magazine 13, the numerical control should read out identicalsums for each ICP to be inserted in each position on the circuit board21 (FIG. 3), then the plungers 52 (FIG. 4) would dispense the ICPs 11(FIG. 1) having the same sum simultaneously onto the circuit board 21(FIG. 3). For example, referring to FIG. 3, the row 152 has an ICP ineach of the first, second, third, and fourth positions. Illustratively,the ICP in the first position is a code 4, the ICP in the secondposition is a code 3, the ICP in the third position is a code 2, and theICP in the fourth position is a code 1. In this instance, the sum of thecode and position of each ICP in the row 152 is 5. Thus, the numericalcontrol would read out a location 5 for each ICP l l in the row 152. Thecollector bar assembly 92 (FIG. 4) is then indexed so that the fourthplunger 52 of the dispensing assembly 51 is situated over the firstinsert 103 of the collector bar 97, the third plunger 52 is situatedover the second insert, the second plunger 52 is situated over the thirdinsert, and the first plunger 52 is situated over the fourth insert. Inthis position, all the ICPs are dispensed simultaneously from themagazine 13 onto the collector bar 97. As pointed out, with reference toFIG. 4, the positions of the compartments 33 numerically ascend right toleft and the position of the inserts 103 (FIG. 1) on the collector bar97 and the plungers 52 numerically ascend from left to right.

The operation of the machine 31 (FIG. 4) continues until ICPs have beeninserted into the rows 151 through 154 and the circuit board 21 iscompleted.

If at any time the operation of the machine 31 (FIG. 4) should becomefaulty, conventional switch controls connected to the various assembliesmay be employed to stop the machine.

One typical control of this type is illustrated in FIG. 8. An opening171, which passes through the structure of the assembly 111,communicates with the chamber 120 and is also coupled to a sensingswitch 172 outside of the assembly. When the piston head 123 engages thehead of an ICP 11 gripped between the plates 112 and 113, the lower endof the piston 122 is slightly above the opening 171. This preventscommunication between the chamber 120 and the opening 171. Thus, airdoes not flow through the opening 171. Upon opening of the plates 112and 113, and actuation of the piston 122 to cause the head 123 to movedownward to force the leads 12 of the ICP 11 into the openings 22 (FIG.3) of the circuit board 21, the piston 122 (FIG. 8) engages the opening171 and air flows therethrough from the chamber 120. This air isdetected by the switch 172 and a signal is generated indicating asuccessful transfer of the ICP 11 into the proper position on thecircuit board 21 (FIG. 3). However, if the leads 12 of the ICP 11 do notenter the openings 22 of the board 21, under the force of the head 123(FIG. 8), the piston 22 will not engage the opening 171, and air willnot flow therethrough. Accordingly, the switch 172, not sensing the air,will not generate a signal to allow the machine 31 (FIG. 4) to continueto operate. If there is no ICP 11 (FIG. 8) present during theaforedescribed insertion operation, the piston head 123 will movedownward until it engages the gripping member 112 and 113, asaforedescribed. The piston 122 will, likewise, engage the opening 171,permitting air to pass therethrough and be detected by the switch 172,thus generating the necessary satisfactory signal.

It should be noted that the above-described machine is merelyillustrative of the principles of the invention. The machine is notlimited to the performance of only mounting ICPs on a printed circuitboard. It is to be understood that the machine may be employed whereverit is desired to selectively transfer different coded components toanother location, in any desired manner. In addition, the structure ofthe machine and its mode of operation may be modified by persons skilledin the ordinary art without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for selectively ejecting different coded components froma plurality of magazines for transfer to a preselected location on aworkpiece, comprising:

means for housing the plurality of magazines;

means for ejecting the components from the magazines;

means for continuously advancing the magazines from the housing means tothe ejecting means;

means for incrementally halting the magazine as they are conveyed to theejecting means to position a component at a desired position to beejected;

means mounted for movement to a sequence of desired positions beneaththe ejecting means to collect the different coded components at eachposition as they are ejected from the magazine; and

means rendered operative upon the movement of said collecting means fromthe ejection means for picking up and transferring the components fromthe collecting means to the selected positions on the workpiece.

2. An apparatus for inserting a plurality of different components in aworkpiece wherein said workpiece has a plurality of locations forreceiving said components and different types of components are insertedat different locations on said workpiece, said apparatus comprising:

means for selectively dispensing each different type of component;

means for receiving the dispensed components, said receiving meanshaving component receiving locations which correspond to a predeterminednumber of locations on the workpiece;

means for positioning said receiving means relative to said dispensingmeans to bring selected locations on said receiving means into a desiredposition with said dispensing means so as to dispense a desired type ofcomponent into said locations; and

means for transferring said components from said receiving means to saidworkpiece and for inserting said components into desired locations insaid workpiece.

3. An apparatus for automatically handling a plurality of magazines,each magazine having a plurality of desired coded components, totransfer the magazine to a position where the different coded componentsmay be selectively ejected therefrom, and to further transfer theejected components to preselected locations on a workpiece, comprising:

a hopper assembly having a plurality of compartments, each compartmentcorresponding to a desired code indicative of the code of the component,and housing a series of the plurality of magazines;

means operable to convey a magazine from each coded compartment of thehopper assembly to a location wherein a component from each of themagazines is situated at a predetermined position;

means selectively movable into and out of any of the number of magazinessituated at the predetermined position for ejecting desired componentsfrom the magazines;

means selectively movable to any position beneath the magazines forcollecting the ejected components in a row as they are ejected;

means cooperating with the collecting means at a position from theejecting means for transferring the row of components from thecollecting means to a preselected row on the workpiece; and

means for advancing the workpiece to a position to receive the row ofcomponents at the preselected location.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the conveying means includes:

a track member situated beneath and spaced from the plurality ofcompartments, the track member extending along the entire length of thecompartments, terminating at a point remote from the compartments, andhaving a plurality of open slots, each slot extending axiallytherethrough along the length of each compartment; and

means projecting through each slot for sliding the magazines along thetrack member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the collecting a pair of rectangularflanges extending symmetrically along the upper length thereof in spacedparallel relation to define a centrally located channel;

a plurality of rectangular inserts slidably positioned in end-to-endspaced relationship within the channel, a part of each pattern situatedon each insert, the remainder of each pattern situated symmetrically onthe top of the flanges opposite each insert; and

means for moving each insert in a vertical upward direction between theflanges.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the base further includes:

means for imparting circular motion to the base in a horizontaldirection.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transfer means includes:

means for simultaneously gripping the plurality of components situatedon the collector means.

1. An apparatus for selectively ejecting different coded components froma plurality of magazines for transfer to a preselected location on aworkpiece, comprising: means for housing the plurality of magazines;means for ejecting the components from the magazines; means forcontinuously advancing the magazines from the housing means to theejecting means; means for incrementally halting the magazine as they areconveyed to the ejecting means to position a component at a desiredposition to be ejected; means mounted for movement to a sequence ofdesired positions beneath the ejecting means to collect the differentcoded components at each position as they are ejected from the magazine;and means rendered operative upon the movement of said collecting meansfrom the ejection means for picking up and transferring the componentsfrom the collecting means to the selected positions on the workpiece. 2.An apparatus for inserting a plurality of different components in aworkpiece wherein said workpiece has a plurality of locations forreceiving said components and different types of components are insertedat different locations on said workpiece, said apparatus comprising:means for selectively dispensing each different type of component; meansfor receiving the dispensed components, said receiving means havingcomponent receiving locations which correspond to a predetermined numberof locations on the workpiece; means for positioning said receivingmeans relative to said dispensing means to bring selected locations onsaid receiving means into a desired position with said dispensing meansso as to dispense a desired type of component into said locations; andmeans for transferring said components from said receiving means to saidworkpiece and for inserting said components into desired locations insaid workpiece.
 3. An apparatus for automatically handling a pluralityof magazines, each magazine having a plurality of desired codedcomponents, to transfer the magazine to a position where the differentcoded components may be selectively ejected therefrom, and to furthertransfer the ejected components to preselected locations on a workpiece,comprising: a hopper assembly having a plurality of compartments, eachcompartment corresponding to a desired code indicative of the code ofthe component, and housing a series of the plurality of magazines; meansoperable to convey a magazine from each coded compartment of the hopperassembly to a location wherein a component from each of the magazines issituated at a predetermined position; means selectively movable into andout of any of the number of magazines situated at the predeterminedposition for ejecting desired components from the magazines; MEANSselectively movable to any position beneath the magazines for collectingthe ejected components in a row as they are ejected; means cooperatingwith the collecting means at a position from the ejecting means fortransferring the row of components from the collecting means to apreselected row on the workpiece; and means for advancing the workpieceto a position to receive the row of components at the preselectedlocation.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the conveying meansincludes: a track member situated beneath and spaced from the pluralityof compartments, the track member extending along the entire length ofthe compartments, terminating at a point remote from the compartments,and having a plurality of open slots, each slot extending axiallytherethrough along the length of each compartment; and means projectingthrough each slot for sliding the magazines along the track member. 5.The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the collecting means includes: a base;a plurality of patterns situated on the upper length of the base, eachpattern spaced a fixed equal distance from a preceding pattern andcomplementing a pattern of the component; and means for indexing thebase in an axial direction to position any one of the patterns beneathany component situated at the predetermined position.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein the base includes: a pair of rectangular flangesextending symmetrically along the upper length thereof in spacedparallel relation to define a centrally located channel; a plurality ofrectangular inserts slidably positioned in end-to-end spacedrelationship within the channel, a part of each pattern situated on eachinsert, the remainder of each pattern situated symmetrically on the topof the flanges opposite each insert; and means for moving each insert ina vertical upward direction between the flanges.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein the base further includes: means for imparting circularmotion to the base in a horizontal direction.
 8. The apparatus of claim4 wherein the transfer means includes: means for simultaneously grippingthe plurality of components situated on the collector means.